WC Council considers three major projects tonight

Wastewater plant, new subdivision and sewer bonds on docket

The City Council of Webster City is expected to discuss and vote on three issues capable of influencing the city's future for decades to come at its second regularly-scheduled meeting of October tonight.

The first is whether to issue a note to proceed to Woodruff Construction Co., Ft Dodge, who is proposing to rebuild the city's aging wastewater treatment plant for a net cost not-to-exceed $31,881,680. The project is the first ever undertaken by the city under the Construction Manager-at-Large [CMAR] system of project management, which only became legal in Iowa July 1, 2022. Under terms of its contract, Woodruff must meet mutually-agreed upon specifications and hand over the finished plant to the city no later than March 15, 2029 if the project is approved.

In another matter, Council must decide whether to accept a designation of a minor subdivision, of 133.49 acres immediately northeast of the city. The owner, Griffon Point Holdings, Inc. of Runnells, has developed property elsewhere in Iowa. Minor subdivisions, by definition, do not obligate the city to make major improvements, such as new roads, water and sewer lines, or undertake excavation. The land in question is east of the end of E. Willow Street, and is described in the Council meeting packet as "99% tillable."

The final large project before Council is whether or not the city should float new bonds in an amount not to exceed $32,000,000 for "planning, designing and constructing improvements and extensions of the municipal sanitary sewer system of the city." Importantly, to taxpayers, the bonds are not of the General Obligation type, meaning the sewer project would be paid for "solely and only" from net revenues of the utility. In effect, this means rates for sewer service paid for by companies or individuals.

Also on the agenda is a second reading of an ordinance that would establish minimal standards for rental housing in Webster City. At its last meeting, where the first reading was completed, Mayor John Hawkins directed city development staff to meet with landlords to resolve any differences between the city's proposed standards and practical concerns of property owners.

That did occur, and staff will outline eight such changes to the new policy at tonight's meeting.

In another matter, Council will entertain a second reading of an ordinance to prohibit parking on the south side of Cedar and Webster Streets, and along one block of Prospect St. between Walnut and Elm. The ordinance would enable emergency vehicles safer passage on the streets involved, and reduce auto traffic congestion near the school bus scramble on Elm Street.

The meeting begins at 6 p.m. in Council Chambers at City Hall, 400 Second Street, Webster City.

All meetings of the City Council of Webster City are open to the public, and the agenda always allows for citizens to voice their opinion without being listed in the formal agenda.